To market, to market, I drive a small calf

To sell to buy food on my family’s behalf

But this calf is a nuisance, it’s driving me mad

Oh what will I do with this beastie so bad?

She's a bad calf, she's a fractious calf

And she won't cross the Wear

And I'm wishing that I could be

Anywhere but here

Now who is this fellow approaching me now?

He asks if I’m willing to sell him my cow

He drops a gold jacobus into my hand

A mightier price I could never demand

She's a fine calf, she's a mighty calf

But he's bent my ear

I might just be persuaded

Though I hold her dear

“I accept your offer, the calf is now yours”

I say without any reflection or pause

For fear he might change his mind in some way

I swiftly depart without further delay

She's a mad calf, she's a stubborn calf

And impossible to steer

And I'm glad to be well rid

Of her never fear

To market to market, this time to buy food

I hold my head high to reflect my good mood

With my pocket still full I repair to an inn

And slake a deep thirst with beer and gin

She's a mad calf, she's a wild calf

Though to me that is clear

This harassed herdsmen's eyes

Are now starting to blear

The inn I've gone into we'll call the Calf’s Head

An ideal place to be watered and fed

I fill up my pipe and with a gesture unspoken

I hand the landlord my last beer token

She's a fine calf and a clever calf

And she's filled me with cheer

For the price that she brought me

Has filled me with beer

Home again, home again, stumbling the Wear

My mind is now addled but my conscience is clear

For that fellow seemed to be on a mission today

I wish him good luck as I go on my way

She was my calf, now she's his calf 

Let me make myself clear

I will have no regrets

And in that I'm sincere

(lyrics: Gary Miller / music: Trad. arr. Gary Miller)

© 2018 Whippet Records

Copyright Control MCPS/PRS

This song was commissioned and specially-written for the project 'The Butcher Baronet', in collaboration with Lone Pine Pictures, about the 17th Century Durham City historical figure John Duck.

Other songs and tunes from 'The Butcher Baronet' include : -

'Behind the Wall'

'The Butcher Baronet'

'Ca' Hawkie'

'Cast Out'

'City of Dreams'

'Cloak and Hood'

'Duck's Overture'

'Dunholm'

'Elementary (Turn, Turn Again)'

'Flesh and Bone'

'Fortune Weaver'

'Go Away!'

'Golden Journey: Through Air / Over Water / To Earth / On Fire'

'Here's to You, John Duck!'

'Hold on'

'John's Jacobus (Inscription)'

'Merrily Danced The Butcher's Wife'

'My Butcher Boy'

'Now I Dream'

'Old Duck's Main'

'Old Duck's Rant'

'Rolling on (A Hymn for John and Ann)'

'Shiny Thing'

'Top of the Hill'

'We Don't Talk About Him 'Round Here'

Helen's initial illustration 'The Butcher Baronet' © 2018